Pump drive

ABSTRACT

1. Pump drive 2.1 Known pump drives, to the extent that they can be separated from their pumping mechanism, must be set onto the pumping mechanism with two hands, because of their weight. Connecting the drive with the pumping mechanism, which is done by way of a flange or a screw connection, is therefore difficult for one person to handle. Therefore the invention is based on the task of creating a pump drive that makes possible simple and, at the same time, effective connection of the pump drive with a container pump. 2.2 This task is accomplished by the pump drive according to the invention, by means of a locking mechanism activated by way of handles, by means of which the user can, at the same time, hold, position, and unlock or lock the drive. 2.3 Operation of container pumps

The invention relates to a pump drive for connection to a container pump or to a container equipped with an integrated pump.

Such container pumps are used for transporting liquids out of containers, such as out of barrels or tanks. In this connection, a pump roughly consists of a pumping mechanism and a pump head. The pumping mechanism is introduced into the liquid to be transported. A rotor shaft rotates in a pump dome through which the liquid rises; a rotor is assigned to the shaft on the power take-off side, and thus causes a partial vacuum in the pump dome, so that the liquid is drawn upward in the pump dome.

Towards the top, the pumping mechanism is followed by an extraction tap through which the liquid that has been transported upward can be tapped. The extraction tap is sealed relative to the pump head that lies above it, so that the transported liquid cannot penetrate into the motor. The latter follows above the pumping mechanism. It comprises a drive, the shaft of which is connected to act with the rotor shaft of the pumping mechanism, and which drives the pump.

usually, a hose can be connected with the extraction tap, in order to guide the liquid away from the extraction tap. In this connection, it is usual to provide a tapping gun or a discharge cock for metering, by way of which the outflow can be controlled.

It is also known to configure the pump head to be removable, in order to create a component system. In this connection, different pumping mechanisms are combined with different motor strengths, in order to adjust the performance of the pump to the situation in each instance, i.e. to the liquid in each instance, in this manner.

In an advantageous further development of this idea, it is furthermore known to assign pumping mechanisms to the containers being used, in fixed manner, so that the extraction of the chemical liquids, some of which are hazardous, can take place, without contact, if at all possible. Such contact could not be precluded, for example, during introduction of the pumping mechanism into the container. This is avoided in that the container forms a tightly sealed unit with the pumping mechanism.

In that the extraction tap is also assigned to the container, it is merely necessary to add the motor that is required to operate the pumping mechanism. Such motors are usually flanged or screwed onto the pumping mechanism. However, it represents a problem that the housings in which the motors are housed are frequently rather difficult to handle. Furthermore, it is difficult to simultaneously set the motor onto the pump head, hold it there at the same time, and close the connecting flange or, even more, the screws that might be required.

In front of this background, the invention is based on the task of creating a pump drive that makes possible a simple and, at the same time, effective connection of the pump drive with a container pump and/or a container.

The solution of this task is accomplished with a pump drive according to the characteristics of the main claim. Other practical embodiments of the pump drive can be derived from the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the pump drive is surrounded by a housing that has at least one handle. This at least one handle activates a locking mechanism that locks the pump drive onto the interface of the pumping mechanism after the motor has been set onto the latter.

During activation of the handle, the locking mechanism is set out of engagement, and the pump drive can be positioned on the pumping mechanism. Because the motor is sometimes held by the at least one handle during a two-handed method of procedure, no hand is needed for opening and closing the latch. The pump drive is set on with the handle activated, then the handle is let go.

This sets the locking mechanism into engagement with the pumping mechanism, so that the pump drive can be let go without risk.

It is practical if the pump according to the invention is developed further in that the housing has two handles. In this way, the position of both hands on the drive is predetermined.

By means of a practical, uniform distribution of the handles along the circumference of the housing, the weight of the pump drive is uniformly distributed, so that handling of the device is simplified and facilitated. Furthermore, the user is thereby admonished and encouraged to hold both hands at the positions provided for this purpose, so that pinching or coming into contact with the transported fluids is avoided.

In an advantageous further development of the pump drive, the handles have a contact edge along which the handle lies against the housing in its locking position. In this connection, the handle has a rotating end and a locking end. The rotating end is firmly connected with the locking mechanism, which is articulated onto the housing by way of a pivot axis, so as to pivot. The locking end can be releasably connected with the housing. Thus, it is possible to pivot the handles away from the housing, about the axis of rotation. Opening and closing of the locking mechanism, which is firmly connected with the handle, goes along with this pivoting movement. This rotating connection forms the articulated lever in the region of the locking mechanism, together with a lever that is configured in loop shape. In this connection, one loop edge is connected with the housing wall, so as to rotate, while the opposite loop edge is connected with the handle, also so as to rotate. In the locked state, the holding points of this loop lie covered behind the contact edge, since the handle has a recess in this region. The holding points furthermore also lie offset in the direction of the contact edge, so that when the handle is pivoted away, rotation of the loop around both holding points takes place. In the pivoted-out state, which represents the unlocked state, the locking mechanism is put out of engagement, so that the pump drive can be set into the pumping mechanism or removed from it. The greatest excursion of the handle is determined by the size of the loop, which is oriented in the direction of force of a tensile force on the handle, in the moved-out state. In the moved-in state, which is also the locked state, the locking mechanism is also fixed, and the drive cannot be removed from or flanged onto the pumping mechanism.

This is expanded in that a safety locking mechanism is assigned to each handle. This safety locking mechanism holds the handle firmly in the locked state. This prevents the handles from being unintentionally opened during operation, and the running motor from coming off the pump shaft, which could lead to damage and also to injuries.

It is additionally practical if the locking mechanism establishes a mounting that prevents rotation. Of course, every rotating machine must be mounted in some way, relative to its working point, so that it does not rotate. However, it is practical if this is done by the locking mechanism. When the pump drive is set onto the pumping mechanism, it can happen that the pump drive is set down onto the pump mechanism, not in the intended position. However, this position can be reached by turning the pump drive relative to the pumping mechanism. The handles can be brought into the locking position only when they are in the correct position. If a multi-edge recess on the pumping mechanism were to guarantee resistance to turning, the pump drive would have to be set down in another position, if necessary.

In order to be able to bring the pumping speed and intensity up to the desired measure, it is practical if the motor has a speed of rotation regulator assigned to it. Since different liquids possess different density and viscosity values, a direct adaptation to the requirements of the specific use can be adjusted in this manner.

Furthermore, it results in advantages if the speed of rotation regulator can be reached from the outside, so that such a change is possible within a short period of time, without any interventions within the housing.

In a concrete embodiment, such a speed of rotation regulator is integrated into the housing with a positive lock. In this connection, an embodiment is preferred in which the turning handle of this speed of rotation regulator is disposed on the side of the housing that lies opposite the driving mechanism.

Thus, hands are again kept out of the region of force transfer, to the greatest possible extent. An additional facilitation is offered by handle depressions distributed over the circumference of the turning handle, which give additional hold when activating the speed of rotation regulator, particularly with work gloves.

In order to protect the motor both from moisture and from vibrations, it is surrounded by a foam insert within the housing.

In this way, while the motor is connected with the housing in fitted manner, this is an elastic connection that absorbs the forces that occur, to a great extent. Universal motors are used for the pump drive according to the invention, the advantage of which consists in the fact that they increase their torque in the case of a reduction in the speed of rotation that occurs due to stress, and therefore counteract the effect of the slow-down.

Furthermore, it can be operated both with direct current and with alternating current, which makes it interesting for many different applications.

It has furthermore proven to be an advantage if the pump drive has an extraction tap directly assigned to it. Then, the motor can be used with a container pump that consists merely of a pumping mechanism, and does without its own extraction tap. Such container pumps, integrated into containers, have the advantage that the containers can easily be stacked. For this purpose, the integrated pumping mechanisms are disposed in a trough drawn deep down, so that the pump connections do not go beyond the top edge of the container. However, the extraction tap has to be left out for this reason, but instead it can be assigned to the pump head.

For this purpose, it is important that the locking mechanism forms a sealed connection between pump drive and pump shaft in its locked state.

Greater ability of the motor to withstand stress can be achieved by means of efficient cooling of same. For this purpose, the housing has an entry opening through which air can be drawn in from the outside. The air is passed to the top of the motor using a fan, in an air channel formed from the housing and the foam insert. From there, the air drops through the motor and subsequently through the fan, and is passed out by way of exit openings. This allows efficient dispersal of the heat to the cooling air, and guarantees rapid removal of the heated air from the housing.

The function of the pump drive described above will be explained in greater detail in the following, using a drawing. This shows:

FIG. 1 a pump drive according to the invention, in its locked state, in a schematic representation,

FIG. 2 a pump drive according to the invention, in its unlocked state, while being connected with a pumping mechanism, in a schematic representation,

FIG. 3 a pump drive connected with a pumping mechanism, in its locked state, and

FIG. 4 a pump drive in a sectional representation.

FIG. 1 shows a pump drive that has a housing 1 with two handles 4. The handles 4 are disposed on the side, in the direction of the longitudinal expanse of the housing 1, lying opposite one another. This makes it possible to hold the pump drive with two hands, to carry it, and also to set it onto a pumping mechanism 9 with two hands. To fix the drive in place on the pumping mechanism 9, the pump drive has locking mechanisms 3 that engage into corresponding recesses in the pumping mechanism 9, with a non-positive lock. A driving mechanism 8 that is set onto the drive shaft 2 of the motor 11, on the outside wall of the housing, serves to transfer force to the rotor shaft of the pumping mechanism 9. On the side of the housing 1 that lies opposite the driving mechanism 8, a rounded turning handle 5 is disposed, which activates a speed of rotation regulator in the interior of the housing. By turning the turning handle 5, the speed of rotation of the motor 11 can be adjusted, and thereby the motor power can be adapted to the requirements, for example the viscosity, the density, or also the feed amount and feed speed. For a better hold on the turning handle 5, it has handle depressions 7. Since the user of such pump drives normally wears work gloves, this is helpful in operating the drive. If the pump drive is now supposed to be set onto a pumping mechanism, the locking mechanisms are brought out of engagement, using the handles 4, the drive is set on, and the locking mechanisms are brought back into engagement.

This procedure is shown in FIG. 2, in which the pump drive is shown with the handles 4 pivoted away. The handles 4 have a contact edge 13, along which they rest against the housing 1 in their locked position. In this connection, one end of this contact edge 13 is a turning end 14, the other is the free locking end 15. On the turning end 14, the handles 4 are articulated onto the housing 1 so as to pivot, using turning joints. In this connection, a metal loop having a rectangular opening cross-section, connected with the housing 1 so as to rotate along an edge, is assigned to each handle 4. This loop is also connected with the handle 4, in each instance, so as to rotate, in each instance, in such a manner that the holding points of the loop are disposed behind the contact edge, covered, in the direction of the edge, when the handle 4 is laid down. If the handles 4 are laid against the housing 1 again, the locking end 15 can be releasably connected with the housing 1, by means of a catch 10 on the housing, and by means of a safety locking mechanism 6 on the handles 4, respectively. By means of activating the safety locking mechanism 6, configured as a push button or slide button, the handle 4 can be pivoted away from the housing 1 again, with its locking end 15. In this connection, the metal loop limits the excursion in such a manner that the metal loop is oriented in the direction of the tensile force to be exerted for pivoting away the handle 4, when the handle 4 is completely pivoted away. In the pivoted-out state of the handles 4, in other words the unlocked position, the locking mechanisms 3 are therefore out of engagement, so that the pump drive can be set onto the pumping mechanism 9 in this state.

FIG. 3 shows the pump drive set onto the 9 pumping mechanism. In this connection, the handles 4 are laid against the housing 1 again, so that the locking mechanisms 3 engage into the corresponding recesses of the pumping mechanism 9. In this position, the safety locking mechanisms 6 are also closed. This prevents unintentional opening of the locking mechanisms 3, which could result in unintentional tipping of the pump drive, which might be running, out of the accommodation joint of the pumping mechanism 9, and therefore in damage.

FIG. 4, finally, shows a sectional representation of the pump drive. In particular, the position of the motor 11 can be recognized in this connection. The latter is surrounded by a foam insert 12, which cushions it relative to the housing wall and, at the same time, forms an air channel with the latter. Cooling air is drawn into the housing 1 through this air channel, by way of an entry opening, using a fan 16. The air flows through this air channel in the direction of the housing top at first, so that it is situated above the motor 11. From there, a cooling channel leads through the entire length of the motor 11. Below this cooling channel, the fan 16 is disposed in such a manner that the air, which has passed through the motor 11, can be carried away through it. On the side of the fan 16 that faces away from the motor 11, exit openings 17 are present in the housing wall, by way of which the heated air leaves the housing 1. 

1. Pump Drive having a housing (1), in which a motor (11) is disposed to drive a pumping mechanism (9), in such a manner that the drive shaft (2) of the motor (11) passes through the housing wall, a driving mechanism (8) for non-positive-lock coupling onto a pump shaft is assigned to the drive shaft (2), on the outside wall of the housing, and the housing (1) has at least one handle (4) that puts a locking mechanism (3) into engagement with a holder recess of the pumping mechanism (9) in a locked position.
 2. Pump drive according to claim 1, wherein the housing (1) has two handles (4), whereby these handles (4) are disposed distributed over the circumference of the housing (1) in such a manner that the pump drive can be operated with two hands.
 3. Pump drive according to claim 1, wherein, the handles (4) have a contract edge (13) that is in contact with the housing (1) in the locked state, the contact edge (13) has a turning end (14) and a locking end (15), the turning end (14) is articulated onto the housing (1) by way of a pivoting connection, preferably by way of an articulated lever connection, and the locking end (15) can be connected with the housing (1).
 4. Pump drive according to claim 3, wherein each handle (4) has a safety locking mechanism (6) on its locking end (15) and the housing (1) has catches (10) in the region of the contact points of the handles (4), to produce a releasable connection of the locking end (15) with the housing (1).
 5. Pump drive according to claim 1, wherein the pump drive, set onto a container pump and/or onto a container in accordance with its intended purpose, is mounted so as not to rotate, at least because of the locking engagement.
 6. Pump drive according to claim 1, wherein the motor (11) has a speed of rotation setter assigned to it, in such a manner that the speed of rotation can be adjusted from outside the housing (1).
 7. Pump drive according to claim 6, wherein the speed of rotation setter can be set by way of a turning handle (5), which is integrated into the housing (1) with a positive lock, on the side of the pump drive that lies opposite the driving mechanism (8), whereby preferably, the turning handle (5) has handle depressions (7) distributed over its circumference.
 8. Pump drive according to claim 1, wherein a foam insert (12) surrounds the motor (11), within the housing (1), in such a manner that the former is accommodated in the housing (1) with a positive lock.
 9. Pump drive according to claim 1, wherein an extraction tap is integrated into the housing (1) in such a manner that the tap forms a continuous feed channel with the container pump to be connected and/or the container to be connected.
 10. Pump drive according to claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism (3) forms a sealing connection in its locked state, in the region of the connection between extraction tap and container pump and/or container.
 11. Pump drive according to claim 8, wherein an air channel is formed between foam insert (12) and housing (1), whereby the air that is drawn in enters into the housing (1) in the region of an air entry opening, is guided between housing wall and foam insert (12) to one side of the motor (11), can be drawn through the motor (11) using a fan (16), and the air can be passed out of the housing (1) through exit openings (17). 